Skip mode method and system for a current mode switching converter

A current mode switching converter having high and low side switching elements coupled to an output inductor, the other end of which is coupled to an output node, and operated with respective modulated switching signals to regulate an output voltage Vout produced at said output node, said converter comprising:

• a first current comparator which receives a current IC that varies with the difference between a reference voltage and a voltage proportional to Vout at a first input and a current IDETECT—PEAK which varies with the current conducted by said high side switching element at a second input and which produces an output arranged to control the regulation of said output voltage during normal operation;
• and
• a second current comparator which receives said current IC at a first input and a current IDETECT—VALLEY which varies with the current conducted by said low side switching element at a second input and which produces an output that toggles when IDETECT—VALLEY>IC, said converter arranged to trigger ‘skip mode’ operation during which said switching signals are inhibited when the output of said second current comparator indicates that IDETECT—VALLEY>IC.

A current mode switching converter having high and low side switching elements coupled to an output inductor, the other end of which is coupled to an output node, and operated with respective modulated switching signals to regulate an output voltage Vout produced at said output node, said converter comprising:

• a first voltage comparator which receives a voltage VC that varies with the difference between a reference voltage and a voltage proportional to Vout at a first input and a voltage VDETECT—PEAK which varies with a current IDETECT—PEAK that varies with the current conducted by said high side switching element at a second input and which produces an output arranged to control the regulation of said output voltage during normal operation;
• and
• a second voltage comparator which receives said voltage VC at a first input and a voltage VDETECT—VALLEY which varies with a current IDETECT—VALLEY that varies with the current conducted by said low side switching element at a second input and which produces an output that toggles when VDETECT—VALLEY>VC, said converter arranged to trigger ‘skip mode’ operation during which said switching signals are inhibited when the output of said second current comparator indicates that VDETECT—VALLEY>VC.